Support Rachaelle and Dream Team!

BACKGROUND: Rachaelle joined the Dream Team one year ago not knowing how to ride a bicycle. But after five months of dedicated training, Rachaelle had pedaled 1,596 miles. In late July, Rachaelle rode every mile and every hill of RAGBRAI. Rachaelle's Dream Team experience proved to her that she could set a big life goal and then accomplish it through hard work and determination.

In Rachaelle's own words, "I feel like the Dream Team has definitely made me feel better about myself as a person, therefore allowing me to have a much more positive outlook on people and situations around me. I believe in myself a lot more than I used to and I'm learning that through confidence and trust in myself, as well as hard work, I can do whatever I put my mind to in that moment. It's helped a lot when I'm having a difficult time in life."

This year, Rachaelle wants to do even more and is leading a campaign to make it possible for even more deserving teens to have the same opportunity as Rachaelle.

Rachaelle is asking you to support her efforts by making a donation today to Dream Team. For her part, Rachaelle has set a personal goal of riding 2,000(!) miles this year after completing RAGBRAI L.

Please support Rachaelle's campaign and help enable more deserving youth to participate in Dream Team. Rachaelle has set a goal of $2,750 (the cost for one youth to complete a season of Dream Team).

HOW YOU CAN HELP: A contribution of $50 equates to 2.5 cents for every mile Rachaelle has committed to riding over the next few months to successfully complete her new goal. Every dollar helps this all-volunteer organization. Please help however you can, every dollar helps. Thank you!!

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DREAM TEAM: Des Moines: Dream Team Des Moines is a non-profit organization that provides teens with opportunities to build confidence, set goals, and create a healthy lifestyle through mentor-based interactions centered around bicycling. In March, a team of 55 teenagers started their five-month journey to RAGBRAI L. The riders work with a caring group of volunteer mentors to set goals, work hard, and DREAM BIG! The bicycle is used as a tool to inspire and motivate young people, encourage lifelong wellness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Completing the 500-mile 50th Anniversary Ride provides the youth with a tangible sense of achievement, as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The Dream Team makes the seemingly impossible, possible. For more information, please visit www.dreamteamdesmoines.org.